NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Julio Aponte, a man who mercilessly beat his wife Maria Kelly to death with a crowbar at a Manhattan bus stop, has been sentenced to 20 years to life behind bars.
The emotional courtroom scene unfolded as Aponte's daughter tearfully confronted her father, expressing her deep hatred and hope that he rots in prison.
Elizabeth Aponte lashes out at Julio Aponte
During the sentencing hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court, Elizabeth directed her anguish and anger at her father, confronting him with raw emotion. "I hope you rot in prison. I hate you so much," she said.
Aponte's guilty plea earlier in June to one count of second-degree murder marked a grim chapter in the story.
The Manhattan District Attorney's Office detailed the horrifying events of June 14, 2021, when Aponte relentlessly attacked his wife at a Washington Heights bus stop shortly before 7 a.m.
Kelly, 49, became the victim of a brutal attack that left her life tragically cut short. Aponte, aged 65, had pleaded guilty to repeatedly striking his wife in the head with a crowbar, leading to her death.
As the Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L Bragg, Jr, recounted, Kelly was murdered that fateful morning, leaving behind a grieving family and a community in shock.
Elizabeth, who herself was an NYPD transit officer at the time, condemned her father's actions, expressing the magnitude of her loss. "You deserve the worst," she declared.
Elizabeth noted how her father's actions robbed her of precious years that could have been spent alongside her beloved mother.
“She deserves to be here. I miss her so much," she bemoaned, as quoted by the New York Post.
DA Alvin Bragg announces verdict
On August 23, Aponte's sentencing brought a measure of closure to the harrowing ordeal.
Bragg Jr announced the verdict, revealing that Aponte would serve 20 years to life in state prison for his horrific crime.
The guilty plea to Murder in the Second Degree, entered on June 20, 2023, marked a significant step towards delivering justice for Kelly.
In the aftermath of the sentencing, Bragg Jr expressed his hope that the verdict would bring a sense of relief, comfort, and justice to Kelly's loved ones.
“Maria Kelly’s life was taken too soon when her husband viciously pummeled her in the head with a crowbar while on her way to work, leaving her for dead on the street,” he said.
He added, “Now, Julio Aponte is facing significant accountability for this chilling and horrific attack. I hope that this sentence brings Ms. Kelly’s family, friends, and loved ones a sense of relief, comfort, and justice.”
What happened to Maria Kelly?
Aponte and Kelly's relationship spanned over two decades. The couple's story took a dark turn when Kelly left to live with her mother in May 2021.
On June 14, 2021, at approximately 6.50 am, Aponte confronted Kelly at a bus stop in the vicinity of 163rd Street and Fort Washington Avenue.
The ensuing attack, wherein Aponte repeatedly struck his wife with a crowbar, left her gravely injured and unconscious on the ground.
Kelly's injuries were severe, including skull fractures and extensive brain damage.
Her heart ceased to function properly, and she remained in critical condition for days until life support was removed nearly a week later, marking the end of her struggle.
Assistant DAs Jeffrey Levinson and Jean Prisco led the prosecution of the case, with invaluable support from Digital Evidence Analyst Briana Rosso, Investigative Analyst Phillip Kersch, and former Paralegals Talia Land and Elena Gaffey.
The collaboration between legal professionals, analysts, and law enforcement was instrumental in piecing together the details of the tragic incident.
The Manhattan District Attorney expressed gratitude to the NYPD, especially the 33rd Precinct, Detective Alexandra Maldonado, Arresting Officer Scott Isaacs, and Detective Richard Koprowski of the Manhattan North Homicide Squad for their dedication to pursuing justice, according to a release by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.
